Aesha Scott is back for another season of Below Deck Mediterranean. With the series entering its 11th season, Scott no longer gets rattled by all the little things that can go wrong during charters. “The first season that I was a Chief Stew, I was so stressed I would just swim in my own sweat all the time,” remembered Scott. “Now that I’ve been doing it for so long, it’s not stressful the way it used to be. It’s almost second nature to me now.”
Under the guidance of Captain Sandy Yawn, Scott now has a team of 3—yes, 3!—stews for the duration of the season in Dubrovnik, Croatia: Genevieve “Gen” Lillie, Kayley Smith, and Kat Johnston. “3 stews are all I’ve ever wanted. This is what I’ve been begging for every season, and I finally got it,” said Scott happily. “Even though they have their own internal dramas, they were all reasonably capable.” Though Scott did express her displeasure at Lillie’s behavior in the premiere episode. “There are so many egos on this boat, and egos don’t go well in yachting,” said Scott simply.
Speaking of egos, both Bosun Nathan Gallagher and Deckhand Joe Bradley make their return to the franchise, and the tension between them will be instantly apparent to viewers. “I didn’t know how bad it truly was because I was so busy with my own department at the time,” said Scott after viewing the first episode. “I couldn’t believe how much attitude Joe was giving Nathan right off the bat,” said Scott. However, Scott managed to stay out of their argument and remain friendly with both men. “They have both always treated me really well,” said Scott.
Scott spoke to DECIDER over Zoom to discuss the season, gush about her recent wedding to Scott [Dobson], and more.
DECIDER: Aesha, you’re now a wife! How is married life treating you?
AESHA SCOTT: Honestly, I love it. Everyone says when you get married that things feel different. It’s hard for them to articulate, and it’s hard to understand. I now know that there is something that happens when you sign that paper. You do feel more spiritually bonded to your partner. It feels different. Scott and I are such independent people. We’ve always lived our own lives, but in communication with each other. Now that we’re married, we’re doing joint projects and making more plans together. It’s really nice.
Which Bravolebrity partied the hardest at your nuptials, besides yourself?
Oh, Anastasia [Surmava, from Below Deck Med Season 4]. She’s such a committed friend. She was like, “I’m gonna make sure I put every ounce of energy into your day until there’s nothing left.” She was right up beside me, dancing like her life depended on it. Right until the busses came to guests home [laughs].
This season of Below Deck Med seems like it’s going to be a wild one. How did you prepare yourself for another charter season?
There’s no way that you really can prepare yourself for a charter season. You just have to depend on your experience and knowledge. What I personally love about the Below Deck franchise is that, looking back, I am able to see how much I’ve grown. For anyone out there who is scared to do something or feels like they’re not good enough, just keep doing it because you can’t get better without exposure.
The first season that I was a Chief Stew, I was so stressed I would swim in my own sweat all the time. I didn’t know how to manage the chef. I didn’t know how to manage the girls. Now that I’ve been doing it for so long, it’s not stressful the way it used to be. It’s almost second nature to me now. I just walk in and make myself deal with whatever’s right in front of me.
Nathan had a bit of a bumpy season previously, but is back to redeem himself. How did you think he did with managing fatherhood and his deck duties?
I think he did as well as anyone could do. I felt so sorry for him. I could see it in his face every single day. I could see that he was trying so hard to stay present, but Gael [Cameron] was struggling without him. Her best friend ended up flying over to help her with their son, Kayden, for a little while. I do think he could have been more focused, but he truly had the best of intentions. No one knew how it was going to go. That’s why I’m like, “if I want to have babies, I’ve got to leave Below Deck because it’s just too hard to juggle that.”
Do you think it was helpful for him to have Gael and Kayden close by at times? Or was it a distraction?
That’s a really good question. Gael and his son were only a seven-minute drive away when we were docked. But now that you say that, part of me does think it might have been better if they had just stayed in Sydney. Distance might have made the season a bit easier for Nathan, and Gael and Kayden could have stayed in their routine.
Though, it’s like you’re doing a diet and you keep taking your lunch break outside of the pizza shop. Pizza’s just right there, and all you want to do is eat it [laughs]. So naturally he wanted to be with them. I do understand the rationale behind them temporarily moving to Croatia. You want to be close to the people you love.
Joe Bradley is back as well, and the tension between him and Nathan is uncomfortable. How did you navigate that dynamic?
I didn’t know how bad it truly was because I was so busy with my own department at the time. I’ve just watched the first episode, and I couldn’t believe how much attitude Joe was giving Nathan right off the bat. Like, straight away. Nathan can be a little shit [laughs], but when someone is your boss, I would give it a minimum of three charters before I started getting my back up and giving a bit of lip . But Joe, he just leapt straight into it. It was like two little boys fighting it out.
I think you did the right thing by trying to remain neutral.
Both of them do have such positives. They’re not bad guys. Yes, they’ve both got areas that they need to grow in, but Nathan is a great guy who’s a great boss, and Joe is really good at his job. They’ve both always treated me really well. So, I’m like: “just because you two have this weird thing going on doesn’t mean I’ve got to get myself involved in it. I’ve got enough on my plate running my interior.”
You’ve got 3 stews this season! Is it a relief or a headache to have that many hands?
Oh my God, it’s a relief! 3 stews are all I’ve ever wanted. This is what I’ve been begging for every season, and I finally got it. Even though they have their own internal dramas, they were all reasonably capable. To have the hands that I actually require made things so manageable. I actually fell in love with my job again. I’ve done it for enough seasons now where I feel like I am getting very good at managing girls, setting boundaries, and not letting people misbehave. Having 3 stews was definitely more of a relief than not.
The reason I mentioned headache was because Gen seems to get off to a rather rough start.
I could not believe how quickly Gen started bagging off about how talented she is or whatever. There are so many egos on this boat, and egos don’t go well in yachting. Again, even if you feel like you were being treated badly … it’s way too soon for all that. After only one dinner service, she’s already calling her mum to complain straight away? I was like, “man, that girl has got some growing to do.”
Lastly, Nick Jonas recently said that Below Deck is his favorite reality TV franchise. Do you think he’d make a better deckhand or stew?
He would make a better stew because Nick Jonas has a performing, musical background. The number one thing that sticks with guests is the entertainment. I would love to have him on my interior team, entertaining the crowd.
I think he’s ready to sign up, Aesha.
Well, come on, Nick! Come and put your skort on. Let’s see what we can do.
Below Deck Mediterranean airs Mondays at 8/7c on Bravo
